Previous Projects

Adult Education in Gloucestershire

We are now in our sixth year of working with Adult Education in Gloucestershire. For a number of years we have taken an integrated approach to this – offering courses in practical conservation to students at Ruskin Mill College and clients at Park House (day centre for people experiencing mental health difficulties). The work undertaken on these courses directly contributes to our biodiversity targets, meaning that we can offer exciting opportunities for these learners to make a real practical difference while learning in safe and supportive groups, and at their own pace. During this year, we have added similar courses for The Nelson Trust, a locally based charity which works with people with substance misuse problems. All three of these groups are given the time and support needed to help them learn new skills and take responsibility for their work. This leads to increased confidence and self-esteem, which in turn contributes to achieving individual personal, social and educational goals.

Our Volunteers Say

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I've found the projects inspiring and I've developed skills I didn't know I had, to the extent that I am now able to find employment in new fields.

I will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers at Stroud Valleys Project for their encouragement and warm support.

Being involved with Stroud Valleys Project has been a great experience. I've enjoyed and learnt so much through various courses and volunteer projects I've worked on.

Thank you all at SVP for the help and support you have given me in the last couple of years, which has helped me to get my foot back on the ladder in the world of work.

I loved the course (Veg Growing), it was the highlight of my week

“Often I feel so bad I don’t want to do anything but after coming here, working with my group in the sunshine, I always feel more cheerful. They are my friends now.”

“Volunteering with SVP is the best thing that happened to me in my life.”

“I never thought I would get into gardening and growing stuff, but through all my work with SVP I have learnt to really appreciate nature.”

“We get lots of work done – and we have a laugh!”

“Our group is like pieces from a jigsaw puzzle. Everybody mucks in and does what they can, and the job gets finished in no time.”

“When somebody has a bad day, the others in the team make them feel better.”